A bill that would legalise voluntary euthanasia has been launched by ACT leader David Seymour. The controversial issue is the subject of a parliamentary inquiry, following Wellington lawyer Lecretia Seales’ bid for the courts to rule in favour of assisted suicide. Seales died in June after a long battle with cancer. Just hours before she Read more
New Zealand
Joe Bennett and the Pope
Tuesday, October 13th, 2015
An Anglican theologian and blogger, Bosco Peters has replied to a “letter” NZ columnist Joe Bennett wrote to the Vatican suggesting it forget about the theology and just focus on being nice. Bennett gave a big thumbs up to Pope Francis, saying, “Whatever Pope ‘Tubby’ Francis has, we need to bottle it”. But he advises the Pope, and presumably Read more
Auckland’s Bishop’s Palace tours proving popular
Tuesday, October 13th, 2015
Tours of the Bishop’s Palace in St Mary’s Bay have proved popular at the Auckland Heritage Festival. Ponsonby Business Association event organiser Everall Deans says they had to turn down more than 50 people for the tour this year. The building at 30 New St is registered as a Category 1 historic place, identifying it as Read more
Prelates admit to confusion at family synod
Tuesday, October 13th, 2015
Some of the prelates at the synod on the family have expressed confusion over what is expected of them in their deliberations. The 13 small groups that had been meeting last week released their reports on Friday. The four English-speaking groups are chaired by Australian Cardinal George Pell, British Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Irish Archbishop Eamon Martin, and Read more
- English language small group reports week 1
- Synod document is supposed to be martyred, Cardinal Tagle says
- Less time for speeches, more time for dialogue
- Take a positive approach to families, synod members say
- Pope tells synod to avoid hermeneutic of conspiracy
- German archbishop tells synod Church’s stance on divorce makes people doubt God
- Synod hears experiences of two married couples
Dismissed teacher claims discrimination
Tuesday, October 13th, 2015Sandra Marx was dismissed by Southern Cross Campus in May 2013 for serious misconduct, and has filed for unjustified dismissal and bullying with the Employment Relations Authority. She is claiming that the dismissal is a result of discrimination. When a family member of Ms Marx’s died, she alleges the school did not offer her the Read more
Raising money to build new church in Flat Bush
Tuesday, October 13th, 2015A Catholic church is to be built in Flat Bush. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, Patrick Dunn, has confirmed the church will be built on Chapel Road, Flat Bush, on land owned by the Catholic Diocese of Auckland. The land is opposite Barry Curtis Park near the school campus shared by Sancta Maria Catholic Read more
Silver Fern plays to please God
Friday, October 9th, 2015
Grace Rasmussen has been included in the Silver Fern Squad for the Constellation Cup series beginning Oct 20. As recently as last year she wasn’t considered good enough to go to the Commonwealth Games. A nice player, and person, questions existed about whether the theology student was robust enough for international netball. Rasmussen says her Read more
Auckland Council still intend to demolish Liston Village
Friday, October 9th, 2015
The Auckland Council says it is locked into a sale and purchase agreement made by the former Auckland City Council to purchase Liston Village from and the Catholic Diocese of Auckland. The deal involves progressively buying the Liston Village from the Catholic Church as units are vacated, expanding Monte Cecilia Park and rebuilding the Monte Read more
Bishop Drennan plays down talk of synod factions
Friday, October 9th, 2015
Bishop Charles Drennan of Palmerston North has acknowledged talk of factions at the synod on the family, but he has a different take on the supposed splits. In a blog post on the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference website, Bishop Drennan said there is a “marked air of openness” at the synod and no topics are Read more